How to report data for lung transplant candidates supported by ECMO

Thoracic clinicians should read this memo from Dr. Steven Webber, Chair of the Thoracic Organ Transplantation Committee. In November 2012, the OPTN/UNOS Board of Directors adopted the Proposal to Revise the Lung Allocation Score (LAS) System. The revisions to the LAS do not include extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a factor in the LAS calculation or as a data element that must be reported in WaitlistSM. In order to ensure that lung transplant candidates supported by ECMO receive a LAS that accurately reflects the severity of their condition, the Thoracic Organ Transplantation Committee offers the following guidance to thoracic transplant programs for reporting data on candidates supported by ECMO:
• Report the candidate’s assisted ventilation as “continuous mechanical ventilation”
• Report the candidate’s supplemental oxygen as FiO2 of 100%

Read Policy 3.7.6 (Lung Allocation) in its entirety. If you have questions, contact your regional administrator at 804-782-4800.